Razor assembly with loop shaped spring member

Abstract

The present invention describes a novel spring mechanism for a razor. In the razor, the spring member may be disposed in a movable member assembly, portions of which may be used for ejection or pivoting. The spring may be fully encompassed within the assembly and be placed within supporting structures therein. The spring is a loop-shaped element having overlapping end portions with free distal ends. Alternately, the spring member is tear drop shaped loop shape with distal ends that are spaced apart. The spring may be disposed within a first and/or second movable member such as an eject button or a pivot member. A retarding structure on the spring provides a retarding force which is based on the interaction of the retarding structure with a protrusion on an assembly portion to keep the spring orientation intact. The spring is desirably comprised of stainless steel and is a flat wire.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A razor comprising a loop shaped spring member, the loop shaped spring member disposed in an assembly with a movable member, the assembly with the movable member comprising of an ejection button designed to travel forward towards a cartridge a distance from about 2.5 mm to about 10 mm, wherein said loop shaped spring member comprises a flat wire, wherein said loop shaped spring member comprises a diameter that extends in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of said assembly with said movable member, wherein said loop shaped spring member is fully encompassed within said assembly with said movable member, wherein said loop shaped spring member is disposed within a track, wherein the track is a circular shape, wherein said loop shaped spring member comprises two end portions, each of said end portions having a respective free distal end, wherein said distal ends are not joined together, and wherein said end portions of said loop shaped spring member overlap forming an overlapping portion. 
     
     
       2. The razor of  claim 1 , wherein said assembly with said movable member moves a razor cartridge in one or more directions relative to a handle of said razor. 
     
     
       3. The razor of  claim 1 , wherein said assembly with said movable member is a portion of a handle of said razor, a portion of a razor cartridge or both. 
     
     
       4. The razor of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of said distal ends are curved. 
     
     
       5. The razor of  claim 4 , wherein said curved distal ends curve toward a center of said loop shaped spring member. 
     
     
       6. The razor of  claim 1 , wherein said distal ends are not fixed to any structure in said assembly with said movable member. 
     
     
       7. The razor of  claim 1 , wherein said two distal ends are spaced apart. 
     
     
       8. The razor of  claim 1 , wherein said loop shaped spring member comprises one or more retarding structures, said one or more retarding structures comprising a knob, protrusion, recess, notch, divot, or point of any size and structure having a curved or linear profile or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       9. The razor of  claim 8 , wherein said one or more retarding structures comprises a knob, and wherein said knob comprises a curved profile. 
     
     
       10. The razor of  claim 8 , wherein said one or more retarding structures on said loop shaped spring member is or are disposed generally opposite an overlapping portion formed by an overlap of end portions of said loop shaped spring member. 
     
     
       11. The razor of  claim 8 , wherein said one or more retarding structures extend into a center of said loop spring member, extends out from a circumference of said loop spring member, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       12. The razor of  claim 1 , wherein said loop shaped spring member is a closed loop. 
     
     
       13. The razor of  claim 1 , wherein said loop shaped spring member comprises an oval, circle, elliptical, ring shape, modified V-shape, tear drop shape, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       14. The razor of  claim 1 , wherein said loop shaped spring member has an overall length of 30 mm to 90 mm when straightened. 
     
     
       15. The razor of  claim 1 , wherein said loop shaped spring member has radii of curvature between 1 mm to 12 mm. 
     
     
       16. A razor comprising a loop shaped spring member, the loop shaped spring member disposed in an assembly with a movable member, the assembly with the movable member comprising of an ejection button designed to travel forward towards a cartridge a distance from about 2.5 mm to about 10 mm, wherein an overall length of the loop shaped spring member is formed into a loop shape that extends in a single plane, wherein said single plane is parallel to a longitudinal axis of said assembly with said movable member, wherein said loop shaped spring member comprises a diameter that extends in said single plane, wherein said loop shaped spring member is fully encompassed within said assembly with said movable member, wherein said loop shaped spring member is disposed within a track, wherein the track is a circular shape, wherein said loop shaped spring member comprises two end portions, each of said end portions having a respective free distal end, wherein said distal ends are not joined together, and wherein said end portions of said loop shaped spring member overlap forming an overlapping portion.